January 21, 20152DB00-KMM-15-002
Dear Prospective Offeror:
SOLICITATION NUMBER274894, “DEVELOP,CONDUCT AND PROVIDE SQA TRAINING COURSE”
Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC (WRPS) requests proposals for the subject scope of work. The requested work is in support of WRPS’s Prime Contract DE-AC27-08RV14800 with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of River Protection.
Information regarding the submission of a proposal is contained in the attached Solicitation.
The proposal is due by 12:00 p.m. on February 5,2015 as indicated in Section 2.1 of this solicitation.
WRPS looks forward to your response.
Very truly yours,
Kara Martin
Kara Martin,
Sr. Procurement Specialist
Attachment
SOLICITATION NO. 274894
CONTENTS
PART A – SOLICITATION
1.0Introduction
1.1Small Business Set Aside
1.2Buyer Not Obligated – Irregularities and Notifications
1.3Solicitation Amendments
2.0Proposal Submittal – eSourcing Event (by rank)
2.1Deadline
2.2Identification and Delivery if Original Signatures need to be sent
2.3Withdrawal
2.4Notification of Intent to Propose
2.5Questions/Comments Regarding the Solicitation
3.0Basis for Award
3.1Qualification Standards
3.2Evaluation Criteria
4.0Proposal Instructions
4.1General Proposal Requirements
4.2Acceptance of Terms and Conditions
4.3Proposal Validity Period
4.4Document Transmittal – Master Submittal Register
5.0Notices
5.1Identification of Proprietary Data
5.2Financial Capability Determination Information
5.3Availability of Funds
5.4North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code and Size Standard
5.5Employment Eligibility Verification (E-Verify)
PART B – SOLICITATION EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT 1. COMPENSATION SCHEDULE
EXHIBIT 2. ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST CERTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE
EXHIBIT 3. VENDOR ESH&Q Questionnaire
EXHIBIT 4. PAST PERFORMANCE
EXHIBIT 5. AGREEMENT EXCEPTIONS
EXHIBIT 6. MASTER SUBMITTAL REGISTER (MSR)
PART C – MODEL SUBCONTRACT
solicitation NO: 274894
PART A – SOLICITATION
1.0Introduction
Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC (WRPS) acting under its contract with the U.S.Department of Energy – Office of River Protection, requests Offeror to submit a proposal for a Firm Fixed Pricetype of subcontract to Develop, Conduct, and Provide SQA Training Course. Part A of this Solicitation describes the proposal submittal requirements, instructions, and applicable exhibits/certifications. Part B contains all of the solicitation exhibits. Part C is the Model Subcontract, which contains all of the terms and conditions, attachments, and references that will govern performance of the work.
1.1Small Business Set Aside
Proposals made under this solicitation shall be from small business concerns, including; Disadvantaged, Women Owned, Veteran Owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned and HUBZone small businesses. Proposals received from concerns that are not small businesses shall not be considered for this solicitation. Disadvantaged, Women Owned, Veteran Owned and Service Disabled Veteran Owned may self Certify to these categories as defined by the Small Business Administration ( HUBZone businesses must be certified by the Small Business Administration.
1.2Buyer Not Obligated – Irregularities and Notifications
WRPS is not obligated to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of Offeror’s proposal, nor required to enter into a subcontract or any other arrangement with Offeror.
1.3Solicitation Amendments
The Procurement Specialist may issue one or more amendments to the solicitation to make changes or to resolve any problems regarding the solicitation. The Procurement Specialist will issue the amendment in time for prospective Offerors to incorporate any changes into their proposals. If this solicitation is amended, then all terms and conditions that are not amended will remain unchanged.
2.0Proposal Submittal – eSourcing Event (by rank)
This solicitation requires all Offerors submitting proposals to access the Supply Chain Management Center (SCMC) eSourcing Tool. The SCMC eSourcing Tool is designed to collect information in a central location. It also provides the Offeror a short timeframe to revise pricing information prior to final acceptance by WRPS.
Upon receipt of Offeror’s notification of intent to propose (see Section 2.4), WRPS will provide the Offeror an email notification with a link to the SCMC eSourcing event including access instructions. Offerors will be afforded the opportunity to preview the application and place pricing information prior to the commencement of an event. This preview phase is called the pre-bid period. At the conclusion of the pre-bid period, the eSourcing event will commence and the Offeror should review their submitted information to ensure it is compliant with requirements. Events typically last for 15 to 30 minutes. The E-Sourcing Tool will designate a ranking of the Offeror’s price when compared against the lowest price received. During this time, the Offeror may revise (decrement) their pricing downward. If the Offeror’s price is revised to the lowest received price within the last two minutes of an event, the event will automatically extend for two minutes to allow other Offerors to consider further adjustments to their pricing. The tool will not disclose the Offeror’s proposed price too other Offerors nor will it disclose the lowest proposed price. A ranking is all that is provided.
This solicitation and resultant award is considered a negotiated procurement. Submitting the lowest priced proposal does not guarantee award. WRPS must complete a full technical evaluation prior to making an award determination.
WRPS reserves the right to conduct negotiations prior to award or to award a Subcontract based upon initial offers and without further discussions.
In the unlikely event of a discrepancy among any of the Offeror’s documents or information submitted through the eSourcing website, the information received and confirmed by WRPS shall govern.
Within two hours of the completion of the event, the Offeror shall submit their electronic proposal in-full via email (see Section 2.2 below for email address. The Offeror shall identify the name of the Procurement Specialist and Solicitation number to which Offeror is responding on the e-mail transmittal document.
2.1Deadline
The proposal is due by 12:00p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2015 via E-Sourcing Event.
2.2Identification and Delivery if Original Signatures need to be sent
Address a proposal sent via the U.S. Postal Service to:
Response to Solicitation No. 274894
Kara Martin, MSIN H3-03
Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC
P.O. Box 850
Richland, WA 99352
The address for a proposal sent via another delivery service is:
2425 Stevens Center Place
Richland, WA 99354
Procurement Specialist Contact Information:
Name: Kara Martin
Phone Number: 509-376-1083
Email Address:
2.3Withdrawal
Offeror may withdraw its proposal by written or electronic notice received at any time prior to award.
2.4Notification of Intent to Propose
WRPS requests that each prospective Offeror notify the Procurement Specialist by email no later than 12:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2015 whether the Offeror intends to submit a proposal in response to this Solicitation. Failure to submit Intent to Propose notification at the designated location by the specified date and time may result in the rejection of the Offeror’s proposals. The Offeror may transmit the notification to the Procurement Specialist via e-mail.
2.5Questions/Comments Regarding the Solicitation
The Offeror must submit any comments or questions regarding the solicitation to the Procurement Specialist no later than12:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2015. The Offeror shall transmit questions and comments via fax or e-mail per Section 2.2 above. The Procurement Specialist will answer all questions in writing for the benefit of all prospective Offerors.
3.0Basis for Award
Award shall be made to the Offeror whose proposal contains the combination of those criteria offering the best overall value to WRPS and the Government. This will be determined by comparing differences in the value of technical and management features with differences in price to WRPS.
Subcontract award may be made on the initial offers received, without discussions. Therefore, initial proposals should contain the Offeror’s best price and technical terms.
There will be no public opening of proposals. Offerors will be advised when source selection has been made.
3.1Qualification Standards
It is WRPS’s policy to offer the opportunity to compete for its procurements as broadly
as is consistent with the nature of each procurement. However, in view of the distinctive
characteristics of WRPS’s programs, those potential Offerors who do not possess the
minimum qualifications and resources necessary to perform the proposed work are not
encouraged to incur proposal and other expenses involved in competitive submissions.
The following Qualification Standards must be met in their entirety in order for the Offeror to be considered for award.
3.1.1Standard No. 1 - Personnel
The Offeror must have resources available to perform the proposed scope with the following minimum qualifications and competence requirements:
- Five (5) years’ of experience working with Software Quality Assurance practices with DOE requirements.
- Experience in the preparation of Software Life Cycle documentation.
- Five (5) years’ of experience as a trainer in a classroom setting.
- Experience in the development of presentation materials for training courses.
3.1.2Standard No. 2 – Company Experience
- Personnel or a Representative of the Offeror’s organization have a (ASQ) Software Quality Engineer Certification (CSQE).
3.2Evaluation Criteria
WRPS will award this procurement to the responsible Offeror whose offer conforms to
the requirements of this Solicitation and provides the most advantageous technical and
cost proposal to WRPS and the Government. The following evaluation criteria form the basis by which each Offeror's proposal is to be evaluated.
Listed below are factors that will be used in determining award. For evaluation purposes, the combined Technical Evaluation Criteria is weighted 70% out of a maximum 100%. The Personnel Qualifications and Past Experience/Work Experience evaluation criteria are assigned the highest level of significance. Technical Comprehension is assigned a lower level of significance.
3.2.1Technical Evaluation Criteria
1. Personnel Qualifications - This factor refers to the competency, availability, and pertinent education/certification of the proposed personnel. Personnel proposed must have the following:
- Five (5) years’ of experience working with Software Quality Assurance practices with DOE requirements.
- Experience in the preparation of Software Life Cycle documentation.
- Five (5) years’ of experience as a trainer in a classroom setting.
- Experience in the development of presentation materials for training courses.
2. Past Experience/Work Experience – This factor refers to the Offeror’s organization and its prior record providingwork products similar in size, content, and complexity to those required in this Solicitation.
3. Technical Comprehension – This factor refers to the Offeror’s understanding of the work and the soundness of the proposed approach to that work.
3.2.2Price Evaluation Criteria
The lowest price to WRPS will be considered most favorable based upon a total composite rate calculation derived from the Offeror’s price proposal. The proposed price to WRPS for each Offeror will be compared to the lowest proposed price and considered less favorable by an amount proportionate to the ratio derived from that comparison.
4.0Proposal Instructions
4.1General Proposal Requirements
Organize the proposal as outlined below. Prepare the proposal simply and economically and provide a straightforward and concise presentation of the information requested in the Solicitation Request. Proposals submitted electronically must consist of separate files for the Technical Proposal and the Business and Price Proposal.
4.1.1 Volume I – Technical Proposal
The evaluation criteria identified in Section 3.2 will be used to determine the Offeror’s understanding of the work to be performed, the Offeror’s qualifications to perform this work and the acceptability of the proposed technical approach.
In order for the proposal to be evaluated strictly on merit of the technical approach submitted, no contractual cost or pricing information shall be included in this volume of the proposal.
The Offeror’s proposal shall address the experience, knowledge and capabilitiesof its proposed resources such that the Offeror’s ability to successfully accomplish the requirements of the solicitation is clearly demonstrated. The proposal shall describe the proposed technical approach in sufficient detail to ensure that the requirements of the Statement of Work (SOW) are met. Simply repeating the SOW requirements or merely offering to perform the work may result in a lower evaluation of the offer being determined technically unacceptable.
4.1.1.1Personnel Qualifications
The Offeror shall identify the personnel proposed to perform the technical aspects of the work. Resumes shall be provided for all key personnel. The resumes must clearly describe the individual’s education (level, major, and year degree received), the experience (general and relevant work experience), and professional credentials (including professional publications and memberships).
4.1.1.2 Past/Work Experience
The Offeror shall discuss the individual’s prior record in performing services or delivering products similar in size, content, and complexity to those required in this Solicitation. Specific emphasis shall be placed on the individual’s experience in the last 5 years. Provide dates, sites and specific activities. The Offeror should specifically address he role any of the proposed personnel played in the successful execution of the projects described in the SOW.
4.1.1.3 Technical Comprehension
The Offeror must provide a discussion demonstrating understanding of Software Quality Assurance practices with DOE requirements and knowledge of American National Standard (ANS), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) NQA-1 2008 with the NQA -1a-2009 addendum, EM-QA-001, “EM Quality Assurance Program,” DOE Order 4.4.1D, “Quality Assurance,” DOE Guide 414.1-4, “Safety Software Guided for Use in 10 /CFR 830 Subpart A, Quality Assurance Requirements, and DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance.”
4.1.2Volume II – Business and Price Proposal
4.1.2.1Price Proposal
Please provide a firm fixed price proposal to perform the Statement of Work. Price Proposal Form (Exhibit 1) may be altered as needed to support Offeror’s Price Proposal. If Offeror is proposing milestone payments enter milestone description, date and total. Standard payment terms are Net 30. Standard payment terms are Net 30.
4.1.2.2Direct Pay Permit - Taxes
The WRPS Direct Pay Permit will not apply to the resultant subcontract/purchase order. Therefore, the Offeror’s price shall include all applicable Federal, State, county, municipal, or other taxes. For information relating to Sales and Use Tax in Washington State please reference the following website:
Offeror shall list separately, in its price proposal, any such tax applicable to any goods/service payable by WRPS.
4.1.2.3Representations and Certifications
WRPS requires the electronic submission of the Representations and Certifications through its vendor registration web site. To start the submission, the Offeror will need to be registered with WRPS and have obtained a vendor identification number and form number (password). If assistance is required, please contact WRPS Contract Support at
For this solicitation, an Offeror is required to have an electronic Representations and Certifications on file with WRPS for the North American Standard Coding System (NAICS) code identified in the paragraph entitled “North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code and Size” below. The certification for this specific NAICS code will be valid for twelve (12) months from its submission unless your firm’s business conditions change and an updated Representations and Certification submission is then required to be submitted electronically.
4.1.2.4Additional Information
In order for WRPS to adequately evaluate the proposal, some additional information is required. Please complete and return all forms and documents listed below:
- Price Proposal Form (Exhibit 1).
- Organizational Conflict of Interest Disclosure (Exhibit 2).
- Vendor ESH&Q Questionnaire (Exhibit 3)
- Past Performance Data Form (Exhibit 4).
- Agreement Exceptions (Exhibit 5).
- Master Submittal Register (MSR) (Exhibit 6).
4.2Acceptance of Terms and Conditions
The subcontract resulting from this Solicitation will be substantially the same as the Model Subcontract that is contained in Part C of the Solicitation. Unless otherwise noted in the proposal, Offeror’s submission of a proposal signifies unqualified acceptance of all of the technical requirements and other terms and conditions of the subcontract that are contained in or referenced in this Solicitation. Any Offeror who currently holds a Blanket Master Agreement (BMA) with WRPS may submit its proposal in accordance with the BMA. When choosing this option, the Offeror must specifically identify its BMA number in the proposal. Interpretations established by Offeror to any part of this Solicitation may be considered an exception.
4.2.1Exceptions to Technical Requirements and Other Terms and Conditions
Offeror must describe any exceptions (on the Agreement Exceptions form in Part B of this Solicitation) to the technical requirements and other terms and conditions of the Model Subcontract in Part C on which the proposal is based. WRPS considers compliance with the technical requirements and terms and conditions of the Subcontract to be essential. In case of doubt, Offeror should request clarification from the Procurement Specialist. If any exceptions are taken to the requirements of the Solicitation, the pricing shall be based on the requirements of the Solicitation and the exception(s) priced as alternates. If the proposal is based only on the proposed exceptions, WRPS may determine the proposal to be non-responsive.
4.3Proposal Validity Period
Offeror’s proposal shall remain firm for 60 days after the proposal due date.
4.4Document Transmittal – Master Submittal Register
The Subcontract will contain a Master Submittal Register (MSR) comparable to the exhibit document contained herein. The MSR identifies the required Subcontractor submittals. Offerors shall review the MSR exhibit, assure that the document submittal requirements are clear and understandable, identify any additional submittals on the MSR exhibit, and provide the Buyer with applicable transmittal dates for all planned submittals. The MSR with added Offeror information shall be returned with Offeror’s proposal.
5.0Notices
5.1Identification of Proprietary Data
If the Offeror submits any data which it considers proprietary data as part of its proposal, the document transmitting the data or which contains the data, shall be boldly marked indicating that the data included is considered to be proprietary.
5.2Financial Capability Determination Information
WRPS reserves the right, prior to award, to require Offeror to submit information which WRPS will use to make a determination whether Offeror has the financial capability to perform the contemplated subcontract. Such information may include, but not be limited to: annual reports; lines of credit with financial institutions and suppliers; and any other information that may be required to make the appropriate determination.